Unlock Affordable Travel with Space-Available Flights: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the world can be an exciting prospect, but the costs associated with air travel often present a significant hurdle. For military personnel, retirees, and their eligible dependents, there’s a unique opportunity to explore destinations worldwide with significantly reduced flight expenses: Space-Available (Space-A) travel. This guide will delve into the intricacies of traveling with flight through the AMC Space-A program, providing you with essential information to plan your journey effectively.

U.S. Air Force personnel load civilian aircraft during Operation Allies Refuge, showcasing military travel with flight opportunities.

Understanding Space-A Travel and Flight Opportunities

Space-Available travel, often referred to as Space-A, is a privilege offered by the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC) that allows eligible individuals to fly on military aircraft when there are seats available after all duty passengers and cargo have been accommodated. It’s important to understand that Travel With Flight on Space-A is not guaranteed, and flexibility is key. Space-A travelers must be prepared to cover commercial travel costs should military flights become unavailable or schedules change unexpectedly. This stipulation is clearly outlined in DODI 4515.13, Section 4, Paragraph 4.1.a, emphasizing the contingency nature of Space-A flights.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Travel with Flight

Embarking on Space-A travel requires careful planning and adherence to specific procedures. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

1. Determine Your Space-A Travel Eligibility

The first step is to identify your eligibility category. AMC categorizes Space-A travelers into six priority groups, ranging from Category I (Emergency Leave) to Category VI (Retirees and certain Veterans). Review the Space-A Travel Eligibility Categories 1-6 below to ascertain your specific category. Your category will influence your priority in securing a seat when you travel with flight.

2. Explore Destinations and AMC Passenger Terminals

Research common destinations offered by your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal. Each terminal maintains its website or social media page, providing valuable insights into typical flight routes and destinations. The Passenger Terminal Directory (link provided below) offers links to these resources, enabling you to identify potential travel with flight options that align with your desired destinations.

3. Verify and Prepare Your Travel Documents

Ensuring you possess the correct travel documents is paramount. This includes a valid passport and any necessary visas. Customs and Immigration regulations are subject to change, so it’s crucial to contact your departure passenger terminal for the most up-to-date documentation requirements and any existing travel restrictions. The U.S. Department of State International Travel website is another excellent resource for comprehensive information regarding international travel documents.

4. Register for Space-A Travel

Initiate your Space-A journey by contacting your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal to register for travel. Registration typically involves providing personal information and your desired destinations.

5. Monitor Flight Schedules and Stay Updated

Stay informed about potential flight opportunities by contacting your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal or checking their AFPIMS page for the 72-hour flight schedule. Flight schedules are dynamic and subject to change based on mission requirements, so continuous monitoring is advisable when planning your travel with flight.

6. Check-In and Prepare for Departure

On your travel day, check in at the terminal counter to confirm your presence and receive updated flight information. Be mindful of baggage weight limits and prohibited items, details of which can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section. Remain near the terminal and await your Space-A call, ready to follow instructions from the passenger service agents for processing and boarding when your opportunity to travel with flight arises.

Detailed Breakdown of Space-A Travel Eligibility Categories

Understanding the Space-A travel categories is crucial for determining your priority and eligibility when you plan to travel with flight. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on DODI 4515.13:

Category I – Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel: This highest priority category is for travel due to bona fide immediate family emergencies, such as serious illness or death. It’s strictly for emergency situations and not intended to replace funded travel entitlements.
Category II – Accompanied EML (Environmental and Morale Leave): This category includes sponsors on environmental and morale leave and their accompanied family members, as well as DoD Dependent School teachers and their families during school holidays.
Category III – Ordinary Leave, Relatives, House Hunting Permissive TDY, MoH Holders & Foreign Military: A broad category encompassing service members on ordinary leave, military personnel on permissive TDY for house hunting, dependents of deployed military members (over 365 days), and foreign exchange service members on leave.
Category IV – Unaccompanied EML: This category covers unaccompanied family members (18+) and DoDDS teachers/families during summer break traveling on Environmental and Morale Leave. Dependents under 18 require adult accompaniment.
Category V – Permissive TDY (Non-House Hunting), Students, Dependents, Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence & Others: Includes unaccompanied command-sponsored dependents, students whose sponsors are in Alaska or Hawaii, students in CONUS trade schools with overseas sponsors, and military personnel on permissive TDY for reasons other than house hunting.
Category VI – Retired, Dependents, Reserve, ROTC, NUPOC, CEC, Veterans w/ a Permanent Service-connected Disability Rated as Total, & Surviving Spouses: The broadest category, including retired military members, their accompanied family members, National Guard/Reserve members, certain veterans with disabilities, and surviving spouses of service members.

Important Notes on Space-A Eligibility:

Space-A privileges cannot be used for personal gain, business ventures, or employment-related travel.
Travel is subject to international and theater restrictions.
Space-A seats are typically confirmed between 3-4 hours and 30 minutes before departure. Always check with the passenger service center for show times.

Space-A Sign-Up Options and Required Information for Flight Travel

Registering for Space-A travel is a straightforward process with multiple options available:

Automated Sign-up Form: Utilize the online form (link provided below) to submit your application to your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal. While there may be temporary issues with automated confirmation emails, printing your completed form serves as proof of sign-up.
Manual Sign-up Form: Download and complete AMC Form 140, Space Available Travel Request (link provided below). Submit the filled form to your desired AMC Passenger Terminal.
Email Sign-up: Send an email with the required personal information (listed below) directly to your nearest Passenger Terminal. Terminal email addresses are available in the Passenger Terminal Directory.

Required Sign-up Information:

Email address
Rank/Grade
Full Name (First, Middle, Last)
Service branch
Military status
Names of dependent travelers
Total seats required
Travel eligibility category
Leave dates
Overseas travel readiness (documents in hand?)
Desired destinations (up to five)

Please Note: Do not include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers in your sign-up.

For further details and assistance, contact your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal using the Passenger Terminal Directory provided below.

Passenger Terminal Directory and Essential Travel Links

PASSENGER TERMINAL DIRECTORY (Click on Location for Details)

Helpful Travel Links:

Questions and Support for Your Flight Travel Plans

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please visit: Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific travel-related inquiries, directly contact your nearest passenger terminal. The Passenger Terminal Directory at the bottom of this page provides contact information.

To provide feedback or comments on this page, please use the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) system: Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE).

By understanding the guidelines and procedures outlined in this guide, eligible travelers can effectively utilize the Space-A program to achieve affordable travel with flight opportunities and explore a wide range of destinations. Remember to maintain flexibility and be prepared for potential changes to flight schedules, and you can unlock incredible travel experiences through Space-A flights.